"Haa, haa... haaah..."

Standing before the Silver Dragon Pavilion now, I couldn't help but realize: Did I really need to sprint all the way here?

"What was I even doing? Kinda feels like I've been toyed with by God... Well, whatever, let's just go in and get a room."

Pushing open the doors of the Silver Dragon Pavilion, I was greeted by an elderly lady behind the counter.

"Welcome to the Silver Dragon Pavilion. I'm sorry to ask immediately, but could you please show me your card?"

So, she's the clerk here.

"Ah, sure."

Handing over my General Guild card, the clerk examined it before returning it to me with a smile.

"No issues. Are you here for a rest or lodging?"

"Lodging."

"Lodging, is it? It's three copper coins per day, or three copper and five iron coins with meals included. However, if you book for a week, it's twenty copper coins with meals included. What will it be?"

A week for twenty copper coins with meals does sound like a good deal.

"I'll take a week, please."

Saying so, I retrieved two silver coins from my storage and handed them to the clerk. She then took out some notes from behind the counter and hung them on the wall with numbers. It seemed like a way to indicate if the rooms were vacant or occupied.

"Alright. Here's the key to your room. If you plan to go out, be sure to leave the key at the counter before leaving. Depending on the situation, we may even involve the soldiers."

"Got it."

"Please make yourself comfortable. Lima! Show our guest to room 203!"

As the elderly lady called out from the back of the shop, a cheerful voice responded with a 'Yes!' Soon, a small girl with a cute ribbon on her head appeared before me.

"Guest, I'll guide you to your room! Follow me!"

"Hey, Lima! You're messing up the end again! It's 'Please come with me'."

"Ah! I'm sorry, Granny!"

"What are you saying in front of the guest! Honestly! Despite telling you to be respectful!"

"Uuuugh!?"

Did the old lady just change her way of speaking? Was that her natural way of talking? And this girl looks like she's about to cry... Well, can't blame her.

"It's fine, really. She's still a child, so I don't mind."

Lima looked at me with a bright smile, but the old lady was glaring at me.

"...Guest, this girl tends to get carried away quickly when spoiled, so please try not to spoil her too much."

"Well, alright... I'll keep that in mind."

I gave a wry smile to the old lady and then turned to Lima, extending my hand.

"Alright, Lima. Lead the way to my room."

"Yeah!"

Lima cheerfully replied, then grabbed my hand and, for some reason, started pulling me along.

"It's this way! Follow me!"

"Okay, okay, Big Bro-cough! cough! Big Sister will make sure to follow Lima, so don't rush."

Feeling the weight of a stern gaze on my back, I let Lima, who was gripping my hand with enthusiasm, guide me to my room.

Whether she likes me or is just mischievous, I'm not sure, but she's definitely dragging me along energetically.

"Your room is here, Miss! Feel free to use it, but be careful not to break anything. If you need anything while in the room, just call for me."

"Got it. Thanks, Lima-chan. You're a good girl."

While saying that, I placed my hand on her head and gently stroked it, causing Lima-chan to narrow her eyes happily.

"Hehe, that tickles..."

What's with this child, she's just too adorable!! If she acts like that, it just makes me want to pat her even more! Is this what they call maternal instinct!?

"Limaaa! How much longer are you going to take!? Hurry up and help over here!"

"Yes, Granny! Alright, Miss, Lima's going now!"

"...Yeah, Lima-chan, do your best with your help."

Removing my hand from her head, I showed my palm and shook it sideways.

"Yeah! Lima will do her best to help!"

With that, she energetically exited the room. Watching her go, anger towards the old lady at the counter started bubbling up inside me.

Damn it! That old hag! Ruining my peaceful time like this... Next time I get the chance, I'll make sure she can't interfere!

"Sigh... But there's no use getting angry here. I need to think about my plans for the future."

First, let's sit on the bed. This bed is so soft! It's completely different from the inn I stayed at before! Let's lie down and confirm.

"Wow! It's so soft and comfortable! And it smells nice too! I'm in paradise!"

...Yeah, it's lonely without someone to banter with. I just realized that now.

After enjoying the comfort of the bed for a brief moment, I sat up and started thinking about my future plans.

"Now, my plan was to operate in the capital of the Kingdom of Liedgarm to earn money and buy a house, but thanks to Duke Valdek, that plan has been expedited."

After the incident with Gulbert, I studied maps and materials and came up with a plan. I intended to establish a base here in the central part of the Lavelant Continent, in Liedgarm, and then travel to various places from there.

"As for the travel plans, I'll explore various places in Liedgarm first, then visit the neighboring Empires, Republics, and the Demon Country."

I can decide the order based on how I feel at the time. But first, I need to buy a house, which will serve as my base. So, what I envision as my ideal home is...

"A detached house in a safe area."

Anyway, I have to buy a house during my stay. I should go to a real estate agent and get some property recommendations.

"...Huh? That reminds me..."

I've never seen a real estate agent in this world before. What should I do?

"...That's right! The General Guild should know!"

If that's the case, tomorrow I'll ask the Guild Master where to find a real estate agent while I collect my reward for the orcs.

Growl~~~~...

"...Come to think of it, I haven't eaten lunch. Since I can't borrow a kitchen, maybe I should just have some cup noodles."

After opening the menu, I browsed through the food section of the store and purchased some cup noodles, along with an electric kettle and mineral water.

However, even though God made these items usable in this world, it still feels strange that there's no plug for the electric kettle. I wonder how much cheaper my electricity bill would have been if I had this on Earth?

As I pondered this, I poured water from the mineral water bottle into the electric kettle, closed the lid, and switched the kettle on. But as I was about to open the lid of the cup noodles, the door suddenly swung open.

"Miiiss! Miss! There's a guest who wants to meet you!"

I'll teach Lima about manners later.

"What kind of guest is it?"

"Yeah! It's the Knights!"

The Knights? Probably Guell and the others came to see me.

"They're acquaintances of mine, so I'll go meet them now."

"Yeah! Hey, what's that, Miss?"

Lima pointed at the cup noodles with her finger.

"Oh, this? It's food, you know. It's a convenient item where you just open the lid and pour in hot water."

"Wow! Really!? Are you going to eat it, Miss?"

"I was planning to, but I need to meet the Knights first. Lima-chan, take me there."

"Okay!"

Lima-chan took my hand and started pulling me.

"This way!"

"Hey hey, Lima-chan. Is it okay to give such service to a guest?"

Lima-chan stopped abruptly and, for some reason, looked at me with an anxious expression.

"...It's not."

"Then, do you have something to say to me?"

"I'm sorry."

Well, if she can apologize sincerely, then I'll forgive her.

"Alright, since you apologized, I'll let it slide. Just be more careful next time, okay?"

As I said this, I pat Lima-chan's head.

"Yeah! Lima will be careful."

"Alright, then, please take me to the Knights."

While still holding hands with Lima-chan, I was led to the entrance of the inn.

I noticed voices coming from the counter, and when I turned to look, there were Guell, Amy, Keith, and Lizlina standing there.

"What in the world did you do!? If you're going to arrest this girl, do it quickly!!"

Hey! Why is the old lady treating me like a criminal!!?

"No, it's not like that. We're just here to meet her because she's an acquaintance of ours."

Keith came to my defense. I'm really grateful for that...

"I'm glad to hear that. As long as you don't cause us any trouble, you can do whatever you want."

The old lady then turned away and started reading the newspaper.

Hey, where did that sales smile of yours go?

"Long time no see, Elaina."

As I was thinking that, Guell spoke to me and extended his hand.

"Long time no see, Mr. Guell."

I shook his hand as he offered it.

"I heard about what happened with Beiger's group. I owe you my thanks, so thank you."

"Hauh!?"

His words made me freeze up.

"Ms. Elaina is still as shy as ever. But that's what makes you cute."

"Uwaaaaah!!"

Now I collapsed to the floor, completely limp.

"Keith! You can't tease Elaina-chan like that!!"

"I was just honestly praising her, you know?"

"It's... it's okay... I'm sorry... about that..."

I manage to stand up somehow and shake my head left and right.

"M-more i-importantly... how did you know I was here?"

"Oh, that's right. We asked Lady Ainya about your whereabouts. She said you might be here, so we came to check."

Keith answers as he faces me.

I see, that makes sense.

"Hey, El-chan. Have you eaten yet?"

"Ms. Lizlina. I was just about to eat soon."

"Then, let's have a meal together! Sounds good?"

An invitation to a meal... well, there's no reason to refuse.

"That sounds good. I have some things I want to discuss with Mr. Guell and the others, so I'll join you."

"Great! If that's decided, then follow us! I'll introduce you to a great restaurant! And don't worry about paying for your portion, I'll take care of it!!"

Huh!? Guell's treating me? 

"Mr. Guell, that's a bit much. I'll pay for my own meal."

"No, I want to thank you for Beiger, alright?"

"Well, if you put it that way, then I understand. Here's the key, old lady."

I handed the key, which I'd left in my pocket, to the old lady, who took it with a bored expression.

"Alright. Have fun."

"Then, let's go, Mr. Guell."

"Yeah! Follow me!"

Elaina left the inn with Guell and the others, heading towards the restaurant. Little did they know, danger was slowly closing in on them.